- More than GH¢6.1 million has been transferred to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund after President John Dramani Mahama donated six months of his salary, presidential appointees contributed one month’s salary and punitive deductions were made from officials who failed to meet the asset declaration deadline.
The funds, which have already been transferred by the Controller and Accountant-General, are expected to strengthen financial support for Ghanaians battling chronic and non-communicable diseases whose treatment costs are often beyond the reach of many families.
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Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo announced the development while briefing colleagues on the outcome of the contributions, describing the initiative as a patriotic response to support healthcare delivery in Ghana.
“Our President John Dramani Mahama showed the way, and colleagues, we have followed with a patriotic answer. We answered the call. Today, we are gathered here to formally present the proceeds of that answer,” she said.
She added:
“The Comptroller and Accountant General has already transferred the amount of GH¢6.1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, comprising the President’s salary donation and our contributions as presidential appointees and staffers, as well as deductions for those who failed to meet asset declaration deadlines.”
Mahama’s 6 Months Salary And Appointees’ Contributions Reach Ghana Medical Trust Fund
According to Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the amount comprises President Mahama’s six months salary donation, one month salary contributions from presidential appointees and staffers, as well as deductions imposed on officials who failed to comply with the asset declaration deadline.
The transfer marks a significant financial boost for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, an initiative designed to help patients facing the high cost of treating chronic illnesses.
Officials Speak About The Sacrifices Behind The Contributions
The Deputy Chief of Staff acknowledged that the salary donations came with genuine financial sacrifices for the President, appointees and their families.
She said contributors had to postpone bills, delay personal plans and renegotiate financial commitments in order to honour the initiative.
“Colleagues, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what this has meant in practice. These salary donations came with real sacrifices, bills that had to wait, plans that had to be deferred, and commitments that had to be renegotiated.”
Despite those challenges, she said the contributions reflected patriotism and a shared commitment to improving healthcare for Ghanaians.
What Is The Ghana Medical Trust Fund?
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, provides financial support to Ghanaians living with chronic and non-communicable diseases by covering expensive treatments and medications that are not included under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The programme supports patients suffering from conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes.
Eligible beneficiaries must be Ghanaian citizens enrolled on the NHIS and have a diagnosis and referral from a medical specialist.
Payments are made directly to approved healthcare providers rather than to patients, helping to ensure that funds are used specifically for treatment and medication.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader Free Primary Health Care Programme and is funded through government allocations and corporate donations.
Why The GH¢6.1 Million Transfer Matters
For many Ghanaians living with chronic illnesses, the cost of long-term treatment can be financially devastating.
The transfer of more than GH¢6.1 million provides an important boost to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and demonstrates an effort by the government to mobilise additional resources for specialist healthcare.
As the programme expands, eligible patients suffering from life-threatening conditions could benefit from greater financial support for treatments and medications that would otherwise place enormous strain on their families.
